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Subclinical trace element deficiency in children with undue susceptibility to infections
Insights
Children with frequent infections show lower serum iron and zinc levels. Trace element deficiency may contribute to recurrent infections in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric immunology
- Nutritional science
- Trace element metabolism
Background:
- Undue susceptibility to infections in children can impact health and development.
- Classical immune defects are not always the cause of recurrent infections.
- Trace elements play a crucial role in immune function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum concentrations of key minerals and proteins in children with recurrent infections.
- To determine if deficiencies in iron, copper, zinc, or magnesium are linked to increased infection susceptibility.
- To explore correlations between nutritional status and infection frequency.
Main Methods:
- Serum levels of iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, transferrin, and ceruloplasmin were measured.
- Comparison between 28 children with undue susceptibility to infections and 13 healthy controls.
- Analysis of infection types (respiratory, ear) and correlation with trace element levels.
Main Results:
- Children with recurrent infections had significantly lower serum iron and zinc levels compared to controls.
- No significant differences were observed in serum copper, magnesium, transferrin, or ceruloplasmin.
- Frequent middle ear infections were associated with lower iron and zinc levels.
- Inverse correlation found between zinc levels and breastfeeding duration.
- Magnesium levels correlated inversely with weight and height.
Conclusions:
- Lower serum iron and zinc may be associated with increased susceptibility to infections in children.
- Trace element imbalances, particularly zinc and iron, warrant further investigation in pediatric recurrent infections.
- Nutritional status and specific infection types might influence trace element levels in children.
Abstract:
Serum concentrations of iron, copper, zinc and magnesium and also serum transferrin and ceruloplasmin were investigated in 28 children aged 10 months to 10 years with undue susceptibility to infections. None of the children had any classical immune defect. Seven of them had had frequent upper respiratory tract infections, 16 had suffered from frequent infections of the middle ear and five from mainly lower respiratory tract infections. Thirteen healthy children aged 9 to 18 years residing in the same area served as controls. The children with undue susceptibility to infections had significantly lower mean serum iron (p less than 0.05) and zinc (p less than 0.001) levels than the healthy controls. The mean serum concentrations of copper and magnesium and of transferrin and ceruloplasmin did not differ between the patients and controls. Children with frequent middle ear infections seemed to account for most of the differences in the serum levels of iron and zinc. An inverse correlation was observed between duration of breast feeding and serum concentration of zinc, and between weight as well as height and serum magnesium. The reasons for these changes and the possible role of trace element deficiency as a factor predisposing to or perpetuating undue susceptibility to infections in children are discussed.